Friday 31 October 2014

Divine Promotion for the Wise 32/10/2014

Divine Promotion for the Wise 31/10/2014

Memorise: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. - Proverbs 3:35

Read: Psalm 75:5-7
5 Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck.
6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 19:19-21:16

MESSAGE:
Divine promotion is a reward for those who live holy. God is the Judge, and only He can promote you. The devil is not the one who will promote you. There are two types of promotion according to Proverbs 3:35. These are: glory and shame. There is glorious promotion for the wise and shameful promotion for fools. Who are the wise? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Those who are wise fear God, and because of this, they live a holy life. They depart from sin. God says that such people will have a glorious promotion. A classical example of a wise man, who as a result of his fear of God abstained from sin, is Joseph in Egypt. He refused to have carnal knowledge of his master’s wife, though it was offered to him ‘free of charge’. In Genesis 39:9, He queried this offer saying:
“......how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
The end of the story is that Joseph became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Who are fools? Fools are those who can see danger ahead and still walk into it. Fools are those who know that the wages of sin is death and yet continue to sin. Fools are those who know that the only way to get to the kingdom of God is by becoming born-again and yet they refuse salvation. Fools are those who have decided to continue living in sin, after knowing that without holiness, no man shall see God.

You must live a holy life if you want glorious promotion. God is no respecter of persons. He will never bend His standards. Promotion puts you on top. Being on top comes with very many advantages, according to Deuteronomy 28:1:
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth.”
God will give you divine promotion if you live holy. However, if you do not live holy, you will go down. Those who are on top enjoy it up there. Those who are below remain in suffering. I prefer being on top. When you are on top, you will get special protection. The one who is on top is special and of more value than the one who is below. Can you see how wise it is to live holy? I pray that today, the Lord will give you the grace you need to live holy for divine promotion, in Jesus’ Name.

All you need to do is to make up your mind that you will no longer live a life of sin anymore, and the Lord will help your decision.

Prayer Point: Father, put your fear in me so that I may shun evil for holy living, and grant me divine promotion this season in Jesus’ Name.



Thursday 30 October 2014

The Redemptive Names of God - 30/10/2014

The Redemptive Names of God - 30/10/2014

Memorise: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:21

Read: Exodus 6:2–8
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 18:1-19:18

MESSAGE:
Our God is the only one that has the ability to save to the uttermost. He has many redemptive names which include: Jehovah El-Shaddai, Jehovah Rophekah, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shalom and Jehovah Rohi. The name Jehovah El-Shaddai, reveals God as the Almighty; the all in all (Acts 17:28). God is more than enough to nourish you, strengthen you and to supply all of your needs (Philippians 4:19). The name Jehovah Ropheka means the Lord our Healer. Christ is still in the business of healing His people today. Just as He healed in the Bible days, He can as well heal today, because there is nothing like the age of miracles, but rather we have the God of miracles. Are you in need of healing? Call on Jehovah Ropheka and you will be healed. Another redemptive name of God is Jehovah Nissi. This simply means the Lord our Banner, or the Lord our Victor. Our God is the One who can give us all-round success and victory over all circumstances. To really overcome the world, the devil, sin and self, you must be born-again. It is when you are genuinely born-again that God will be in position to fight your battles for you. God is also the Jehovah Jireh. This redemptive name means the Lord will give or provide. God can still provide for all your needs today as He did in time past. All that He requires from you is faith.

The Lord is also our Sanctifier – Jehovah Mekaddishkem. In these days of spiritual decadence and social degeneration, the need for believers to be sanctified cannot be over-emphasised.

God is also Jehovah Shalom. He is the Lord our Peace. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and it is only those who have surrendered their all to God that can experience peace indeed. Are you born-again? Are you living in peace or tumult? Examine your life today. The last but not the least redemptive name is Jehovah Rohi. This name means the Lord my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1).

To yield your life to God as your Shepherd, you will need to accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour. He will then become your Shepherd and you will be His sheep. God knows his sheep, and His sheep know Him (John 10:14). If you regard Jesus as your Shepherd, you will stop doing things without His express permission. It is then that you can enjoy the benefits due to a sheep (Psalm 23:1-6). The Good Shepherd will ensure that there is no want in your life. He will protect you and guarantee your safety. He will bless you abundantly and you will obtain favour of God and men. Are you born-again? If your answer is “no”, then you must become born-again, because God will not be your shepherd, heal you, give you peace of mind, provide for all of your needs, give you victory over all your enemies, nor guarantee your safety until you are born-again.

Action Point: Spend quality time in prayer for the mercy of God today. He is ever merciful.


Wednesday 29 October 2014

The Eagle Ambassadors - 29/10/2014

The Eagle Ambassadors - 29/10/2014

Memorise: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

Read: Isaiah 40:28–31
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 15:33-17:24

MESSAGE:
God has favourites. Certain animals are viewed as God’s favourites because of the way they were used in describing His character in the Bible. For example, the lion: our Lord is described as the Lion of the tribe of Judah in Revelation 5:5. Another is the eagle: God in Exodus 19:4, used the eagle to describe His character of protecting His own. There is much to learn from the eagle. Because the eagle is the king of birds, it has many characteristics that distinguish it from other ordinary birds. A study of some of these characteristics will enable us know how we ought to comport ourselves, manifest what we have been created to be, do what we have been called to do, and have what Jesus Christ died to give to us. We need to learn about the eagle because all children of God are expected to be ambassadors with royal traits like that of the eagle. Our royalty is described in 1 Peter 2:9, which says:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
A thorough study of the eagle reveals that eagles flock together and fly alone. As the saying goes, “birds of same feather flock together”. We as heaven-bound Christians must associate with our kind (Psalm 1:1-3). We must keep company with genuine believers (Hebrews 10:25).

We must also tarry in the presence of God in worship, praise and through all manner of prayers (Luke 6:12). The eagle flies alone. Be separate, as commanded in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. You cannot afford to do things the way unbelievers or careless Christians do them. The eagle has a long range vision.

An eagle is capable of seeing from afar, both its prey and its enemies (like the serpent, trying to sneak into its nest to steal eggs or kill its young ones). This strong vision of the eagle keeps the enemy away. We as eagle ambassadors must be vigilant and not allow the enemy to sneak into our lives. We must get rid of the little foxes that spoil our vine – the little foxes of unbelief, sorrow, depression and all such things. We must practice peace, joy and righteousness. We must not allow the enemy to infiltrate our homes, finances, relationship, health and spiritual well-being (1 Peter 5:8). We must steadfastly resist the devil at all times (James 4:7). Additionally, an eagle tests before trusting. A female eagle chooses her mate with care. Christian leaders have a lot to learn here. We must be prayerful and exercise great care in choosing our partners and subordinates.

Key Point: Eagles are peculiar birds. A heaven-bound Christian is God’s favourite and should be unique.


Tuesday 28 October 2014

Deborah, the Patriotic Woman - 28/10/2014

Deborah, the Patriotic Woman - 28/10/2014

Memorise: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. - Proverbs 31:10

Read: Judges 4:4–9
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 14:1-15:32

MESSAGE:
Deborah was a patriotic woman. She was a prophetess, who used the anointing of God on her life to judge and instruct Israel in the way of righteousness. Are you a virtuous woman? In what way is your life affecting your community? The name Deborah means ‘bee’. She lived up to her name by her industry, sagacity and great usefulness to the society, her sweetness to her friends and her sharpness against her enemies. How far does your name influence you? What influence does the name of Christ have upon you? Have you been able to influence others to Christ? Deborah was said to be the wife of Lapidoth. ‘Lapidoth’ means ‘lamp’. As one associated with light, Deborah was a blessing to her community. Are you a blessing or a curse to your family, friends, acquaintances, neighbours, community, state or nation? Deborah was intimately acquainted with God. She was a judge and a prophetess. How close are you to the Almighty?

From the life of Deborah, we learn that God depends on man to carry out His rescue operations and programmes. However, no man should see himself as indispensable. God can use anyone.

Any man or woman who purges himself or herself can be used as a vessel unto honour by the Master. 2 Timothy 2:21 says:
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”
Don’t be too big for God. He has alternatives. As a prophetess and a judge, Deborah’s head was perpetually greased by the oil of the anointing. To excel in God’s service, you need the anointing. It is the anointing that destroys the yoke. Deborah was picked from among the rebellious multitude in Israel. God still has His own vessels. He uses whoever yields himself or herself to Him. Deborah did not allow her gender and other issues of time and life to block her focus or stifle her consecration.

She was entirely devoted to the service of God in Israel. There is no person without challenges.

However, God expects diligence and total consecration in whatever is committed to your hands.

Deborah was a good leader. She gave her followers the assurance of victory and did not fail. She raised their hope, and she delivered. Are you a morale-booster or a discourager? She helped the faith of her subordinates to grow strong. She was also submissive to her husband. How submissive are you?

Key Point: God is no respecter of persons. What He needs from you is holy living. Live a life of holiness and you will be used of God.


Monday 27 October 2014

LIVING BY FAITH - 27/10/2014

 LIVING BY FAITH - 27/10/2014

MEMORISE: Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38

READ: MARK 11:22-23

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 KINGS 12-13 AND PROVERBS 17:15-28

MESSAGE
Faith is part of the nature of God. God lives by faith, and every child of God is expected to live as God lives. Are you a child of God? You are expected to live by faith. You are expected to live to please God and Him alone. Hebrews 11:6 says:

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Faith can be defined as trust, strong belief and unquestioning confidence. Faith means belief in God. It is the belief that God can do what he says He can do. Faith is belief in God’s word. You need to have faith in God! Generally, there are two kinds of faith: These are: physical or natural (human) faith, and spiritual or supernatural faith. All human beings have some measure of faith. You need faith for salvation, sanctification, justification, wholeness or health of the spirit, soul and body. You need faith to live the Christian life, to walk the Christian walk, to remove the obstacles blocking your way to heaven, to live holy, to live above the world and to enter into the rest of God. However, it should be noted that faith standing alone is not sufficient. Certain things need to be added to it (2 Peter 1:5-10). It is risky for a ministry to be built on faith alone because it could die as a result. This is because, as the faith on which such a ministry is founded begins to die, the ministry itself will also begin to die.

Do you want to live by faith? First, have the faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2:20). Then add virtue or good behaviour to your faith. Ensure that you live holy and righteously. To virtue, add knowledge. Don’t allow ignorance to destroy you. To knowledge, add temperance and to temperance, add patience. To patience, add godliness. To godliness, add brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, add love. Secondly, let everything added to your faith abound in you. Be diligent in making them flourish in you. It is dangerous to live by faith alone. If you fail to add virtue and other qualities to your faith, you might end up becoming barren, unfruitful, blind and short-sighted. For you to live by faith therefore, you should first and foremost be born-again, and diligently develop your faith to reach the measure of that of the Son of God. Pray constantly in the Holy Ghost and live in perpetual obedience to the will of God. Hate sin and shun bad company, ungodly habits, pride and false doctrine.

ACTION POINT:

No life is more fulfilling than living by faith. Begin to live by the faith of the Son of God today.

Sunday 26 October 2014

Success by the Supernatural- 26/10/2014

Success by the Supernatural- 26/10/2014

Memorise: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

Read: Isaiah 1:18–19
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 10-11

MESSAGE
How do you live great and die great? How does a person experience good success in perpetuity? It is by drawing upon the supernatural for good success. How does a man do this?

The first thing to do is to know God, the Author of success.

The first step to knowing God is to know who you are as a human being. The scriptures confirms that man is the epitome of God’s creation (Genesis 1:27). Man is a great being because He was made in the image of God. You should however know that all men have sinned, and the wages of sin is death.

In the area of sin, man is helpless because he cannot save himself. Only Jesus, who is God that came in the form of man, can save man from sin. Man can only experience smooth fellowship with God when he is delivered from sin. The second step to knowing God is to confess your weaknesses, short-comings, failures and misdemeanours to God. After this, repent whole-heartedly and accept God’s salvation. It is not enough to know God. Whoever will draw upon the supernatural for good success should love God. Loving God is crucial in your bid to experience good success. You should love God because He first loved you. In addition to loving God, you should endeavour to please Him. When a man’s way pleases God, the Almighty will cause even his enemies to be at peace with Him. You should also fellowship with God. One of the main reasons for the creation of man was God’s desire for fellowship. You enjoy fellowship with God when you enter His gates with sincere thanksgiving as His child.

Recognise the Name of Jesus and call on Him. You should pay your vows, which includes dealing thoroughly with sins. To remain in fellowship with God, you should never usurp His glory. Speak constantly to the Father in the Spirit and glorify Jesus through the Spirit. Proper fellowship produces great results, such as divine provision, divine protection, divine prosperity and divine promotion.

Added to fellowship is asking. Whoever will draw upon the supernatural for good success should learn to ask God for success through prayers and fasting. Thanksgiving is also crucial to this experience. As a Christian who wishes to experience good success always, you should give thanks always. Let your thanksgiving outnumber your requests. Thank God for who He is, what He has done, who you are, what you have and for what you will have.

Action Point: Thanksgiving is crucial to drawing upon the supernatural for good success. Spend quality time in thanksgiving to God today.


Saturday 25 October 2014

Closing the Door against Evil - 25/10/2014

Closing the Door against Evil - 25/10/2014

Memorise: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

Read: Isaiah 49:25–26
25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 8:22-9:28

MESSAGE:
The world is full of evil. Just listen to the news today and you will hear all manner of stories of horrors such as armed-robbery, looting, kidnapping, betrayal, persecution, terrorism, ritual killing, cannibalism and a host of others. There is hardly a nation on earth where heinous crimes are not committed on a daily basis. Evil is manifested in different shades and colours. Some are violent, crude and horrific while others are subtle, mild and deceptive. They may be emotional or psychological; physical or spiritual. Evil is perpetrated at domestic, community, local and international levels. The situation is perplexing. Peace is a scarce commodity nowadays. Many people live in fear, torment, horror and anxiety. However, for a heaven-bound Christian, the story is not one of hopelessness. We have reasons to rejoice because there is light at the end of the tunnel, Colossians 2:15 says:
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ paid the supreme price for our peace. His death, resurrection and ascension to heaven were all geared towards our peace. Through His death and resurrection, He obtained permanent victory over the devil and his cohorts. The author of all evil is the devil. He is assisted by principalities and powers. Since Christ has destroyed the devil (Hebrews 2:14), and has triumphed over principalities and powers, the easiest way for a person to close the door against evil is by surrendering his or her life to Jesus. Be born-again. Jesus is more than enough to take care of your fears and anxieties. You can also close the door against evil when you abstain from all appearances of evil. Evil has the tendency to boomerang. Those who do evil, end up attracting evil to themselves. To close the door against evil therefore, do good to others. Be good and kind to members of your family, relatives, friends and acquaintances. Be kind, even to those who persecute you and perpetrate evil against you. There is a user of this devotional, who has been betrayed severally by friends and loved ones. You can close the door to all the evil in your life by forgiving all your offenders and being nice to them. Many people are living under a curse. The good news is that the anointing destroys curses.

You can also close the door against evil through aggressive prayers. Pray aggressively against witchcraft attack and destiny destroyers.

Action Point: Close the door against all evil by putting on the whole armour of God and confronting evil headlong. Begin today.

Friday 24 October 2014

Turning Weaknesses into Blessings 24/10/2014

Turning Weaknesses into Blessings 24/10/2014 

MEMORISE: And said unto him, hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? Matthew 21:16

READ: Exodus 4:10–12
10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kings 7:1-8:21

MESSAGE:
Our God is a God of miracles. He moves in mysterious ways and He still calls people to His side today. Many people have the call of God on their life but do not know. Some people believe they are too weak to be used of God, while some others, who are already in a position of service, are facing frustration or even failure. God is not the author of confusion. He calls His own into blessings and glory. There are times in the service of God when we have to move, and there are other times when we have to wait patiently for His move. Proverbs 3:5 says:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Are you weak and confused? Trust in the Lord. God has not forgotten the weak. When God calls a person to His service, He doesn’t chose Him on the basis of how clever, talented or educated he is (1 Corinthians 1:26). God had to strip Paul of all his pride vis-à-vis his qualifications, status and achievements before sending him to the ignorant and outcast people called Gentiles (Philippians 3:8).

Paradoxically, God used the ignorant and unlearned Peter in proclaiming the Good News to the elite Jews of the Roman Empire (Acts 2:5&14). The good news about weaknesses is that, the Holy Spirit is available to qualify for God’s service, the weak who puts his or her trust in the Lord.

To turn weakness to strength, you should be meek and humble. This does not imply that you should give in to a sense of inferiority complex, self-pity, self-hatred or self-consciousness (2 Corinthians 12:10). Weaknesses and inadequacies can become blessings if they press us to depend on Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9). Another step to turning your weaknesses to strength is to exchange your strength for His strength. To do this, you must acknowledge your weaknesses, limitations and great need for God. You must also present yourself as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1). Learn to wait on God (Isaiah 40:31). Patiently wait for His time. Ensure that you do not take any major decisions or major actions until He shows you that it is time to act (Luke 24:49). Don’t get ahead of God, neither should you lag behind Him. Wait patiently on Him in prayer and fasting (Psalm 69:6). Spend quality time each day to read the Bible and to pray. Finally, you should develop a strong devotional habit and expect opposition and trials. You should know that when you try to go deeper and higher with God, the world, your human nature and demonic principalities will oppose you.

KEY POINT: When you wait patiently on the Lord, He purges the dross of sin and flesh away from you and His power begins to work in you and through you, with supernatural results.


Thursday 23 October 2014

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kings 4-6

Answering a Missionary Call - 23/10/2014

MEMORISE: And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. - Mark 16:20

READ: Acts 13:1–5
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kings 4-6

MESSAGE:
Missions can be defined as God specifically sending a person to reach the unreached for him.

The unreached are those people who have not heard the gospel sufficiently enough to be taken over for Christ. The sender is God, and the personality sent is the missionary. The unreached can be within the environment of the missionary or in faraway lands. A Call is imperative for missionary work. The missionary call is just like any other call to Christian service. Many people have shipwrecked their lives because they were not sure of God’s call upon their life. If you are sure of God’s call upon your life, you will not be tossed to and fro by all shades of doctrine.

Being called to be a missionary is by God’s grace; it does not follow a stereotyped style. Factors underlying God’s call include acknowledging and receiving a claim of ownership by Christ. You must acknowledge divine ownership upon your life and develop an understanding of God’s will and have the willingness to do it. You should also develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice by having an open mind, an attentive ear and a pure heart. In addition, you should be active in God’s service. A missionary call does not necessarily come through a special revelation. The call can come through a casual remark by a friend or neighbour about the heathen. It can be through a letter received from a missionary or through reading extracts from an article, book or periodical. It can be through a hymn, an anointed message, counselling from an anointed leader or through divinely orchestrated circumstances. Are you prepared to answer the missionary call?

A missionary should be physically fit to withstand adverse situations such as mosquitoes, bad climates, diseases, poor public sanitation and poor medical services. Also, a prospective missionary should at least be at the level of his or her audience. In other words, a missionary must be adequately educated to reach the highest of all the educated folks in the mission field and should be able to meet and discuss with other missionaries at their level. To excel as a missionary, you need a charming personality that is emotionally stable. You should also be able to adapt to the culture and food of other people. There is equally the need for you to be patient and persevering. A missionary should be versatile. He or she should also be submissive to God, the mission board and to his or her superior officers. Finally, whoever wishes to be a missionary should have a thorough experience of salvation, sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

ACTION POINT: For success on the field, every missionary should ask for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and ask for these gifts now.



Wednesday 22 October 2014

Ready for the Great Harvest?- 22/10/2014

Ready for the Great Harvest?- 22/10/2014

MEMORISE: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19

READ: Acts 13:38–39
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kings 2:13-3:28

MESSAGE:
Our God has so many wonderful attributes. Some of these attributes, such as omnipotence, omnipresence and being omniscient are unique to Him alone. There are other attributes which God as a wonderful Father, shares with His children. These include holiness, mercy and love. God is love. John 3:16 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
One of the ways God demonstrated His love to mankind was by making adequate provision for salvation (1 John 1:8-9). As a child of God, you can demonstrate the love of God to the world through evangelism and missions. The term ‘evangelism’ denotes sharing good news from a loving God to a lost world. The Great Commission is binding on all Christians (Matthew 28:18-20). The need to fulfil this mandate is ever so urgent, especially with the imminent return of our Lord. Every child of God is called to be a “reaper”. Are you ready for the great harvest? As a child of God, you are expected to rightly divide the word of truth. There is no geographical limitation or racial restrictions to fulfilling the Great Commission (Mark 13:10, Acts 1:8).

To be actively involved in evangelism, it is required that you wisely utilise the different opportunities that present themselves to you in the course of your daily business, without appearing to be over-bearing. With the power of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God, even a newly born-again Christian can win souls on a continuous basis. Soul winning is one of the reasons God retained you on earth, and you should be particular about it. As a Christian, you can do effective evangelism in the vehicle you board, at social gatherings, birthday celebrations and send-off parties. You can also engage in hospital visitations to pray for the sick, give them provisions, befriend them – especially if they feel lonely and poor, preach salvation through Jesus Christ to them and bring Bibles and good Christian literature for them to read. You can also be involved in prison visitation. You can visit prisoners, write letters to them, send them good reading materials and give them gifts with the permission of the authorities. Other ways in which you can be involved in evangelism include, placing illustrated gospel tracts on your table after eating in a restaurant, around school campuses, on bus-stop benches and in departmental stores as you buy or sell. Additionally, you can be involved in house-to-house evangelism. Are you ready?

ACTION POINT: Make evangelism a habit, because it is uppermost on God’s heart.


Tuesday 21 October 2014

Who Are You? - 21/10/2014

Who Are You? - 21/10/2014

MEMORISE: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9

READ: Isaiah 6:1–8
1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Kings 1:1-2:12

MESSAGE:
Nothing destroys faster than ignorance. History confirms that ignorance has claimed many lives and destroyed more properties than any other factor. Half-hearted obedience is an act of ignorance. In today’s Bible reading, we learn of King Uzziah. Uzziah, king of Judah, was the son of Amaziah. His father did the right thing in the sight of God, but not with a perfect heart (2 Chronicles 25:1-2).

Uzziah followed the footsteps of his father, and he died a leper (2 Chronicles 26:1-5, 21). Half-hearted obedience is worse than outright disobedience. Pride, self-exaltation, disobedience and presumption always leads to sacrilege and results in death. It is good to start well, but it is far more glorious to end well. Ecclesiastes 7:8 says:
“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Isaiah started his ministry as a preacher in King Uzziah’s court. However, it wasn’t until after King Uzziah’s death that he received a vision of the Lord’s glory. If you want to be victorious as a Christian, you should rely on God alone and know that the only throne which cannot be destroyed is the throne of the King of kings. As long as King Uzziah was alive, Isaiah saw nothing; but when King Uzziah died, he saw the glory of God and saw himself as dirty, wretched and despicable. He was broken. When you see the glory of the Lord, you will see yourself in your true state. Who are you? How does the Bible describe you? Are you patient in spirit or proud? Are you a Christian or an unbeliever? Christians are kings and priests (Revelation 1:6). We are a chosen generation, chosen before the foundation of the world. We are a holy nation; a nation of lights. We are the light of the world. Are you showing forth the light of Christ to people living in your neighbourhood? We are also called to show forth the praises of God. We show forth His praises through strength. We are not a nation of weaklings, but a nation of the strong. Where do we derive our strength as Christians? Our strength is drawn from seven main sources. The first of these is joy (Nehemiah 8:10). The second is the strength of the Lord (Ephesians 6:10). The third is the Spirit of the Lord (Acts 1:8). The fourth is the Name of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-10). The fifth is the blood of Jesus (Revelation 12:11). The sixth is the word of God (Hebrews 4:12), while the seventh is the mercy of God (2 Corinthians 4:1).

KEY POINT: If you do not know who you are as a Christian, circumstances of life will take you for a ride.


Monday 20 October 2014

A Christian Youth At Home - 20/10/2014

A Christian Youth At Home - 20/10/2014

MEMORISE: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; -Ecclesiastes12:1

READ: Ephesians 6:1–3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 23-24

MESSAGE:
A Christian family is a place for the formation of talents, aspirations and desires. It is a breeding ground of creativity and a place of safety and security. A Christian family is expected to be a place of bliss. It will only be so when the relationship between the parents and the children (especially the grown-up children) is cordial. This is possible when children have chosen the path of obedience. Are you a Christian child, teenager or adult, still living with your parents or on your own? You have certain responsibilities to perform, which might not be required of unbelieving youths. For example, it is a scriptural command that you obey your parents. It is a dangerous thing for children to disobey their parents, except when their instructions contravene scriptural commandments. It is also mandatory that you love your parents. It is disastrous to neglect either of them or play one parent against the other. Family devotional time should be lively, and it is the duty of a grown-up child to actively participate in this. Be busy for God and engage in productive activities and hobbies that will make your parents happy. It is your responsibility to help your parents and siblings. Be observant to identify the needs of your parents; if it lies within your ability to meet the need, you must be willing to help them out. Contrary to what many may think, one of the most basic needs of parents is self-esteem.

A Christian youth should be a model to others in love, kindness, productivity, holiness, godliness and obedience. Whenever you have to make serious and delicate decisions, don’t do it alone. Always seek for the advice of others, especially elderly and more experienced people. Seek for guidance so as not to falter. Be an example to others in prayer. Pray constantly for your family, love your home, have the interest of your family at heart and seek its welfare. Your good relationship should not be limited to members of your nuclear family alone. Seek to relate well with members of other families as well.

Your relationship should be cordial. Demonstrate love to them and find occasion to help them.

However, it is improper to divulge the secret of your family to outsiders. Do not criticise or condemn your family in front of members of other families. Furthermore, your relationship with God should be unquestionable. Love God and demonstrate that you love Him in speech and actions. To play your role successfully as a Christian youth, you must be committed to the Person of Jesus and to a pattern of living that befits His representative. You must also be committed to people and to God’s plan of showing Christ to the world.

ACTION POINT: Be Christ-conscious as a Christian youth because without Him, you are nothing.


Sunday 19 October 2014

Here Comes the Dreamer - 19/10/2014

Here Comes the Dreamer - 19/10/2014

MEMORISE: In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, Job 33:15–16

READ: Genesis 37:9–19
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
12 And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.
13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.
14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
15 And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?
16 And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.
17 And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.
18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 21-22

MESSAGE:
Dreams are important. Psychoanalysts believe that dreams are an indication of the dreamer’s inner longings, desires and cravings, released from the deep sub-conscious during the state of sleep.

Dreams can therefore be the manifestation of the inner yearnings of the dreamer’s heart let loose during sleep; they can also be spiritually induced. Dreams play a significant role in the life of human beings. Paul received direction on where to preach next through a dream in Acts 16:9:
“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”
Dreams are sometimes mysterious; such dreams convey revelations. To understand them, interpretation is required. Have you been having strange experiences in your dreams? My sincere prayer is that the Good Lord will grant you victory in your dreams and turn your God-sent dreams into reality in Jesus’ Name. Dreams can be classified by their features. One such classification includes: dreams as a message from God or the devil; dreams as the carrier of a message concealed in mysteries; and dreams as a result of activity or thoughts. Sources of dreams are God, the devil and the flesh. God relates with man through dreams for specific reasons. These reasons can be any of these: to instruct him to carry out an action (Matthew 2:13), to warn him of an impending danger (Matthew 2:22), to teach him (Job 33:15-16), to encourage him (Genesis 31:10-13), to rebuke him (Genesis 31:24), to correct him (Genesis 20:3-7) and to bless or make a covenant with him (Genesis 28:12-15).

The devil relates with man to cause fear and unbelief, to inflict man with sicknesses or death, to make diabolical covenants with him and to mislead him. Most dreams men have are from the flesh. A dream from the flesh simply means the revelation of the dreamer’s carnal longings and desires being let loose at the moment of sleep. Are you facing afflictions in your dreams? Please check your life.

How pure are your thoughts? How will you rate your prayer life? All these go a long way in determining the type of dreams you have. Moreover, many people dream and can be described as mere dreamers, whereas those who succeed in life are men and women with a dream. However, while the dreamer talks much but does little, the person with a dream talks little but does much. Which are you: a mere dreamer or a person with a dream?

ACTION POINT: Those who make it in life do something about their dreams. They attempt the impossible, thereby discovering what God can do. Do something about your dream today.


Saturday 18 October 2014

The New Anointing - 18/10/2014

The New Anointing - 18/10/2014

MEMORISE: And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. Isaiah 10:27

READ: Acts 5:12–16
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 19:16-20:26

MESSAGE:
Our Lord Jesus Christ did nothing without the anointing (Luke 4:18). He performed no miracles, healed no sick, delivered no oppressed of the devil and did no good until the Holy Spirit fell on Him (John 1:28-34; John 2:11). What is the anointing? Literally, anointing can be defined as applying oil or ointment on a person – especially as part of a religious ceremony. However, the anointing represents the power of God transmitted through men in the form of spiritual electricity. Electricity is electricity, but there are differences in voltage. In like manner, the anointing that will cure cancer is different from the one for headaches. You need the anointing from God because it is glorious, powerful, active and dynamic. Satan and his evil agents also anoint. Witches, wizards, magicians and tricksters are anointed of the devil for diabolical purposes. However, the anointing of God is the best.

You need the anointing from God because it brings authority and power (Acts 10:38). The anointing teaches (1 John 2:27). It is the anointing that qualifies you for God’s service; enduing puny man with a touch of divinity (Hebrews 2:4). God’s anointing always results in unquestionable success. When the anointing comes upon a person, curses are broken. Are you under the influence of a curse? The anointing destroys yokes. Signs of a curse include: a sickness or a disease whose cause is unknown or which defies all treatments; barrenness of a type where all medical examinations show that you are normal; repeatedly experiencing failure on the brink of success; mysterious and continuous tragedies in a particular family. If you observe any of these signs in your life or family, the Lord shall set you free in Jesus’ Name. There are two types of anointing from God. These are the old anointing and the new anointing. The old anointing was the type that Elijah had – the type that called down fire for the destruction of God’s enemy. The new anointing was the type Elisha had – the type whose bones raised the dead. You need the new anointing for deliverance. This type of anointing can be transferred through conduction. For you to receive it, you must be a conductor and not an insulator. It can also be transferred from one suitable vessel to another. The anointing can also flow from the spoken or written word of God to the sick (Psalm 107:20). How prepared are you for the New anointing?

Action Point: To receive the new anointing, you must be born-again, sanctified and baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Friday 17 October 2014

Angels Love Music Too -17/10/2014

Angels Love Music Too -17/10/2014

MEMORISE: But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3

READ: Acts 16:25–34
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:15

MESSAGE:
The charge “Occupy till I come” was an express command given by the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples (Luke 19:13). Yesterday, we learnt that to occupy means to take charge of already conquered territories. As a child of God, it is your responsibility to exercise authority over your enemy - the devil. Though he was made perfect in beauty and wisdom, his beauty and wisdom have been tarnished and corrupted by sin (Ezekiel 28:17). The devil is now full of destructive wisdom, but his wisdom cannot stand even the foolishness of God; how much more the wisdom of God at work in believers (1 Corinthians 1:24). The devil, your accuser, is cunning (Revelation12:10), but you can live a triumphant life over him by the Blood of the Lamb, prayer, the word of your testimony (your confessions and proclamations) and by singing praises to the Lord. Revelation 12:11 says:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
Many Christians lose out in the battle of life because they do not know who they are and the nature of the fight they are involved in. You are not fighting against flesh and blood. You are at war with an enemy who has thousands of years of experience with human beings, right from the Garden of Eden, where he attacked Eve. Satan knows his strategy well. He is a dangerous enemy who doesn’t get distracted. It is therefore imperative that you fight against this enemy with the word of God in prayer.

Prayers are very powerful. A prayerful Christian is a powerful Christian. The greatest demoraliser Satan uses is fear. God has not given us the spirit of fear; therefore, we are not to be afraid of the devil (2 Timothy 1:7)! The exact opposite of fear is faith. It is a known fact that Satan loves music.

He loves dangerous, perverse and distorted music. The day God made Lucifer who later became the devil, He built musical instruments into his body (Ezekiel 28:13). He was the choir master of heaven.

Now, Satan takes more souls to hell through music than through any other means. Angels love music too. The more you sing praises to God, the more you irritate Satan because you remind him of his glorious past and his lost opportunity. Satan is irritated because he knows that whenever you praise God you are making God happy. God loves music too. The devil also knows that whenever you are praising God, the Almighty will draw nigh to you (Psalm 22:3). Christ was able to overcome the devil through compassion, love and humility. These are indispensable weapons you need.

ACTION POINT: Irritate the devil today by singing beautiful songs of worship to the Lord.


Thursday 16 October 2014

Ready to Occupy? 16/10/2014

Ready to Occupy? 16/10/2014

MEMORISE: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luke 19:13

READ: Luke 19:11–27
11 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
MESSAGE:

No tree can grow except on the root from which it sprang. In the gospels, we see the personal life of our Lord laid bare for us. He spoke frequently of His relationship with the Father, of the motives guiding Him, and His consciousness of the power of the Spirit at work in Him. Jesus, as man, subordinated Himself and gave the Father all honour and glory due to Him. He was the embodiment of humility and did nothing on His own (John 5:30). Jesus as man was the greatest of all teachers and greatest of all prophets. He was crystal-clear in all His predictions (Luke 21:20–24, Matthew 24:6–37). This same Jesus, when He was leaving the earth, promised His disciples that He would return, and He commissioned them to occupy till His return.

The word ‘occupy’ is a military term that means to take charge or take full control of already conquered territories. Christians are combatants engaged in the fight of faith against Satan, sin, the world and the flesh. Ours is a victorious battle. When He said, “It is finished”, our Captain and Lord Jesus Christ, gained complete victory over all these enemies for us. Satan has been destroyed (Hebrews 2:14–15), sin has been put to death (Romans 6:2), the world has been overcome (John 16:33) and the flesh has been crucified (Galatians 5:24). These enemies are therefore engaged in a lost cause, and our responsibility as Christians is to hold the fort by resisting them in faith (1 Peter 5:8-9, Hebrews 12:4). Are you a Christian? Are you a child of God? You can live above the devil in your day to day life and manifest the victory of Christ over Satan, sin, the world and the flesh. To take charge of the already conquered territories and subdue the enemy, you should understand your adversary, understand the nature of our fight and use the right weapons. In addition, you should have the mind of Christ and focus on the right objectives. Satan is your enemy. He is unseen (Ephesians 6:12). He is the ruler of wickedness, with other fallen angels (demons) under his control. All the unsaved are also under his dominion (Ephesians 2:2). Note also that your enemy - Satan, is not foolish. Satan is cunning.

He is full of dangerous and destructive wisdom. Your enemy was perfect in beauty and wisdom when God made him (Ezekiel 28:12–15). He was made of precious stones. Know therefore that, not all beautiful things are wholesome and holy (Proverbs 31:30). Satan loves jewellery. Lucky stones are the habitations of Satan. Some so called lucky stones are objects of the occult. To occupy effectively, leave the objects of the enemy alone.

ACTION POINT: Satan loves worldly music. To devastate the enemy, remove all worldly music from your home and replace them with gospel music.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

A Youth in the Community - 15/10/2014

A Youth in the Community - 15/10/2014

MEMORISE: Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD. Psalm 25:7

READ: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 14-15

MESSAGE:
A youth can be defined as a young man or woman who is strong in body and sound in mind. Youths make up the bulk of a typical community. Ideally, youths are the men and women of war. A man of war is an instrument of both protection and destruction. He protects his friends but destroys his foes (1 Samuel 17:33). The best time to be focused in life is the time of youth. It is the most productive period in the life of a person. Lamentations 3:27 says:
“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.”
It should be noted however that youths have their limitations. Though they are strong, energetic and sound in mind, they have their weaknesses. For example, many decisions that a youth will take will require the counsel and probably the assistance of elders, so as to avoid blunders. Are you are a youth? Don’t forget that you need valuable advice from elders (Proverbs 20:29). The time of youth is delicate. Youths can fall and fail if they not careful (Isaiah 40:30). If care is not taken, the young can be used in the community by evil-minded people as miscreants to perpetrate mischief and unleash terror on innocent persons. Youths need guidance because of their inexperience (Proverbs 2:16-18).

Young people are often despised, looked down upon and disdained (1 Timothy 4:12). They are also susceptible to temptation, thus, the best time to give appropriate guidance to a person is in his or her youthful age. Also, the best time to remember God is at the period of youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Young people make up the bulk of the society and they are the ones that bring about its growth. Are you a youth and a child of God? You have a crucial role to play in your community. First, it is your duty to love your community and have its best interests at heart. If you do, you will pray for your community (Luke 18:1). Go all out to seek its welfare. Secondly, as a youth, you can contribute greatly to the growth of your community by bringing in new ideas. All developed societies utilise their young people to the maximum, harnessing their energy and innovation. Youths generate modern and creative ideas. They are strong and can be given any assignment, being at their productive peak.

As a Christian youth, you can be an asset to your community when you live holy and submit yourself to the Holy Spirit. Are you an elder? Encourage the youths in your community to maximize their potentials. Pray for them. Guide and counsel them to be committed to God’s agenda.

ACTION POINT: To be an asset to your community, be committed to a Christ–like pattern of living, and commit yourself to people and God’s program.



Tuesday 14 October 2014

The Old Time Religion - 14/10/2014

The Old Time Religion - 14/10/2014

MEMORISE: Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:16

READ: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 12-13

MESSAGE:
In a world of confusing and conflicting messages, there is need from time to time to check your foundation and the core of your faith as a Christian. You need the ‘old-time religion’ (Jeremiah 6:16).

Ours is not dead religion as practised by the world, but rather, a way of life in the Spirit that has its foundation on belief in the Bible as the word of God. We believe in the Trinity, the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His atonement and resurrection, the need for repentance, new birth, justification, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, grace (and the possibility of falling from it), the rapture, the second coming of Christ, the judgments, Heaven and Hell. The believers of old were sticklers to the word of God. They knew that the word of God was good enough and sufficient for them. Joshua 1:8 says,
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
It is imperative that you believe and obey the word of God. If only the children of God would believe His word and obey it, the blessings they would get from God would not only grant them material success, but also eternal life. In addition, they will enjoy good health and safety from evil men and women. The word of God is a Book of Redemption. It has the inspiration (breath) of God in it. God had the Bible written by revelation; it was transmitted through a method free of error and mistakes.

The word of God is authentic because every word in the Bible is inspired (Matthew 5:18). All the written words of God are immortal, infallible, and indestructible (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 1:23). Has God made you a promise in His word? Believe and hold on to it. That promise will definitely come to fulfillment. The Bible is also a supernatural revelation from God. As such, it has supernatural effects upon the heart, soul (mind) and will of man. It is a dynamic revelation from God which has dynamic quality. The word of God is effectual (Isaiah 55:10-11) and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), having the power to save, heal, deliver, and to set free. It cleanses (Psalm 119:9), gives wisdom and understanding (Psalm 19:7) and brings comfort and peace (Romans 15:4). It is only through obedience to the word of God that we can remain holy and preserved from sin and error. Do you want to be fulfilled on earth? Do you want to enjoy peace of mind? Do you want to be victorious? Do you want to make it to heaven? Read, meditate on and obey the word of God.

ACTION POINT: Have you read your Bible today? Begin to study the word of God on daily basis from today.


Monday 13 October 2014

JUDAH - 13/10/2014

JUDAH - 13/10/2014

MEMORISE: Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. Genesis 49:8

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 8:15-11:27

READ: Isaiah 1:1-6
1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
MESSAGE:

The name ‘Judah’ means praise. Judah was chosen to be the chief and ruling tribe of the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:8-12). The sceptre of a king and the office of a lawgiver were all allotted to Judah. Genesis 4:10 says:
“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
Judah is a similitude of the church. In Judah, we can see a shadow of the things to come with respect to the church. Just like Judah, believers are the royal priesthood, expected to show forth the praises of God (1 Peter 2:9-10).

The prophet Isaiah was sent with a message primarily to Judah and Jerusalem – the seat of Judah’s power (Isaiah 1:1). This message contained instructions, reproof, warnings, comfort and encouragement from God to His people. At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy, the kingdom of Israel had become divided and weakened through civil wars and conflicts with other nations. This same situation applies to the present-day church. The Church today engages in several battles. There are fights within and wars without (2 Corinthians 7:5). Judah was rebellious and ignorant (Isaiah 1:2).

They were corrupt, degenerated, depressed, and laden with iniquity; having backslidden, forsaken God and provoked Him to anger. Just like Judah, many modern-day Christians live in ignorance and sin. In this deplorable state, the demand of God on Judah in Isaiah 1:16-18 was:
“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
This speaks of repentance and total consecration. As a Christian, God expects that you present your body as a living sacrifice which must be holy and acceptable to Him (Romans 12:1). Your consecration to God should be personal, voluntary and sacrificial. How committed are you to God? Is your consecration total? Examine yourself.

ACTION POINT: Do a thorough self–assessment today. Repent of the short comings you identify.


Sunday 12 October 2014

TOPIC: HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM 12/10/2014

TOPIC: HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM  12/10/2014

MEMORISE: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19

READ: Matthew 9:36-38
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 5:17-8:14

MESSAGE:
Our God is a counting God who is interested in numbers. He is interested in your advancement. He is interested in your prosperity, peace of mind and growth. Candidly, God is interested in the growth of His Church – local, national and global. There are many secrets of church growth which include: good biblical leadership, mobilising the congregation, a balanced spiritual diet, prayer, faith, answers to prayers, evangelistic outreaches, creativity & resourcefulness, finance etc. Are you a Christian worker or a minister of the gospel? Is your church or parish a growing church? For a church to grow, she must be interested in growth. Such a church must cater for the needs of the spirit, soul and body of her members. There is real fellowship in a growing church. It must be blessed with an obedient Pastor, who is a positive thinker. A growing church is committed to reaching the unreached for Christ and using evangelistic methods that work.

Aggressive evangelism is a secret of church growth. It is a process whereby the presentation of the gospel is done zealously, compassionately and in a Christ-like manner. Aggressive evangelism takes two forms which are: aggressive personal evangelism and aggressive mass evangelism (i.e. evangelism to a group of people). Are you a soul winner? Soul winners are wise. Aggressive evangelism is what sincere soul winners practice. This requires genuine consecration, commitment and resolute determination. Aggressive evangelism is a secret of church growth for many reasons. First, it produces abundant and lasting results. Second, it embraces all the other principles of church growth. Third, it motivates Christians to pray.

Fourth, it succeeds where other methods fail. For aggressive evangelism to be effective, there must be thorough preparation. This includes spiritual preparation in form of prayer and fasting, humility, obedience to the voice of the Spirit, holiness, consecration and willingness to do the work. There should also be physical preparation in the form of audience analysis, getting the site for the outreach and forming a committee that will assist in the work. The message of aggressive evangelism should be heart-felt and presented with conviction (Acts 2:36). It must be Spirit-inspired in order to bring about repentance and joy (Acts 8:5-8). Finally, the fruits of aggressive evangelism (souls) must be guarded jealously and preserved in love till they meet Christ in glory. This is made possible through equally aggressive follow-up and discipleship. A church that engages in aggressive evangelism will grow spiritually and numerically, and Christ’s Name will be glorified.

ACTION POINT: Share the gospel with at least one soul today. Be aggressive in evangelism



Saturday 11 October 2014

His Name is Wonderful 11/102014

His Name is Wonderful 11/102014

MEMORISE: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

READ: Isaiah 9:6–7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 3:1-5:16

MESSAGE:
One of the names of Jesus is Wonderful. That name denotes miracles. In this name is deliverance. Deliverance from an unclean spirit is a miracle. Mark 1:23–26, tells us the story of a man with an unclean spirit. A single demon inhabiting a man can be a terrible situation. But thank God that He has the power to set the captives free. The man came in contact with the Lord and he was free. The situation becomes more serious when a person is possessed by several demons. Luke 8:2 says,
“And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,”
Mary Magdalene had seven demons inhabiting her. If a woman with one single demon would be considered a witch, a woman with seven demons will be a chief among witches. Now, try and comprehend the situation of a man who had a legion or six thousand demons inhabiting him. In Mark 5:1–15, a man who was possessed by at least six thousand demons was delivered. Such can only be described as wonderful. It doesn’t matter how many demons are troubling you, in the Name that is above every other name, you are going to be free.

Let me narrate the true story of a highly educated man, who for one reason or the other was taken over by certain demons. The day they brought him, I thought they had brought a mad man. The way he was looking and everything about him showed signs of a seriously possessed person. Then he began to tell his story. If he scratched his head, cockroaches would come out. If he put his hand into his ear, a butterfly could come out, and he wasn’t a magician. He said, “Just look at it, any part of the body I scratch, an insect will come out”. I told him that I know someone who could set a man free from Legions, regardless of how many they are. At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow. I prayed a simple prayer and he left. Two weeks later, he came back. I couldn’t recognise him; he had been completely transformed! That name “Wonderful” is also demonstrated through the miracle of raising the dead. Raising a person who has just died takes a miracle (Mark 5:35-42). Raising someone who is about to buried will take a bigger miracle (Luke 7:11-16). However, raising someone who has been dead and buried for four days is wonderful (John 11:39-45). Lazarus was not just dead. He was dead, buried and rotten. But there is a God. He is the One who can reverse the irreversible. He raised Lazarus from the dead. Has anything been pronounced dead in your life? This same God will attend to your case.

ACTION POINT: Call on that name ‘Wonderful’ to bring to life everything that is dead and buried in your life.

Friday 10 October 2014

Identifying Pride 10/10/2014

Identifying Pride 10/10/2014

MEMORISE: And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12

READ: Isaiah 14:12-17
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 1-2

MESSAGE:
One of the most subtle and hazardous problems of leadership is the peril of pride. The very fact that a man has risen to a position of leadership with its attendant prominence tends to engender secret self-congratulation and pride which if not checked, will make such a fellow unfit for further advancement in the service of God’s kingdom. Pride is a fundamental sin that aims at enthroning self at the expense of God. Pride was the sin that converted Lucifer from an anointed cherub and guardian of the throne of God, to the devil – the leader of evil and the most cruel and unpleasant spirit. It was this same pride that caused the expulsion of Lucifer from Heaven. Isaiah 14:12 says,
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”
Pride is subtle. It is a sin whose presence its victim is least conscious of. This hydra-headed spiritual monstrosity assumes various forms. The most abhorrent of these forms is spiritual pride. Since pride is a subtle sin, how can you discover whether or not you have succumbed to its flatteries? First, spiritual pride manifests itself mostly in Christian service. To identify whether you manifest pride in your service or not, you should endeavour to sincerely answer these questions: How do you react when another person is selected for the assignment you expected? How do you react when another person is promoted and you are overlooked? How do you react when another person outshines you in gifts and accomplishments? Secondly, be honest. How do you feel when others, especially your rivals say negative things about you? Thirdly, submit yourself to the test of criticism. This is part of the price that must be paid daily by a leader. No leader is exempted from criticism. It should be noted that there is nothing else that so kills the efficiency, capability and initiative of a leader as unhelpful, destructive criticism. It tends to hamper and undercut the efficiency of a man’s thinking process. It chips away at his self-respect and undermines his confidence in his ability to cope with his responsibilities. However, criticism is equally a powerful instrument in assessing the presence of pride in a leader’s life. The pride or humility of a leader can be clearly seen in the leader’s reaction to criticisms. To identify the presence of pride in your life, you should ask if criticism causes hostility and resentment in your heart, causes you to immediately try to justify yourself and if you hasten to respond by in turn criticising the critic.

ACTION POINT: To overcome the peril of pride, you should be honest and measure yourself by the life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who humbled Himself, even to death on the cross.

Monday 6 October 2014

A Soldier of the Cross -6/10/2014

A Soldier of the Cross -6/10/2014

MEMORISE: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3

READ: 2 Timothy 2:1-7
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Samuel 21-23

MESSAGE:
I believe that knowledge and wisdom are crucial to our greatness in life. Simply put, knowledge is information that is censored by intelligence, while wisdom is the right application of knowledge. One piece of knowledge every child of God should have is the fact that every sincere Christian is a soldier of the cross. Christians are combatants, and we are expected to be equipped for battle. Ephesians 6:11 says,
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The first group of enemies Christians wrestle against are principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). It is our duty as soldiers of the cross to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). A saint is holy, and the faith delivered to the saints is of great value. Therefore, no evil conduct must be found or even mentioned among soldiers of the cross. How should a soldier of the cross live? We are to resist the devil (James 4:7). Resisting an opposing force is serious business. Whoever will resist the devil should first and foremost submit himself or herself to God. Prioritise only the needful in your life and let God be your first priority. As soldiers of the cross, the principle of proper prioritisation is relevant to our growth in Christ. Someone once said the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first. Many Christians find it difficult to make God their first priority because petty and mundane matters steal much of their time. Unfortunately, many are living for the wrong things. They fail to know that part of being wise is to know what to overlook. If God will be your Number One, there are many things you will have to flee from or refuse to touch.

One of such things is sexual immorality. The scripture enjoins us to flee fornication (1 Corinthians 6:18). In the same vein, we should flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). A Christian soldier knows, as Paul did, that all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient. As a soldier of the cross, it is your duty to be sober, vigilant and watchful. You should set your affection on heavenly things, not on the mundane (Colossians 3:2). Soldiers of the cross are the elect of God and should therefore put on the attributes of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and longsuffering. We should learn to bear with one another and to forgive one another. Finally, every soldier of the cross is expected to demonstrate the true love of God. You should also be thankful and allow the peace of God to rule in your heart.

ACTION POINT: Spend quality time in worship and in singing spiritual songs with grace in your heart to God.

Sunday 5 October 2014

A Professional or An Amateur? - 5/10/2014

A Professional or An Amateur? - 5/10/2014

MEMORISE: And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. 1 Chronicles 12:32

READ: 1 Chronicles 11:11-25
11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
12 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.
13 He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
14 And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
15 Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16 And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.
17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
19 And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
20 And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.
21 Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
23 And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
24 These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
25 Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Samuel 18:17-20:42

MESSAGE:
Success in life, business and ministry does not come easy. Success is realising God’s desires for you and responding obediently in order to reach your maximum potential. Attainment of success is determined by multiple factors, but it takes a combination of drive, patience, energy, a ‘can do’ attitude, efficiency and toughness to be successful. Slothfulness is one of the worst enemies of success. Proverbs 18:9 says:
“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.”
Do you want to be successful in your chosen field? Be professional and avoid slothfulness. The two things that differentiate a professional from an amateur in any discipline are: thought patterns and the order of prioritisation. Though there is no single behavioural characteristic alone that can be said to lead consistently to success, there appears to be quite a consistency of behavioural patterns among successful people.

For one, all successful people are intensely interested in their ventures. They are disciplined, focused and sincere disciples of their trade. Moreover, a very successful person has a feeling of personal adequacy. They all have the attribute of “I can do it if I try hard enough”. In addition, successful people are hardworking people. A sense of direction is another secret of success. A sense of direction urges action, shapes action, allows the value of action to be assessed and allows decisions to be made more easily. All highly successful people are both effective and efficient. They do things right and manage their time and resources very efficiently. They never stand still and expect things to fall into place. It must be said also that there can be no success without the personal attribute of honesty, sincerity and integrity. All successful people are goal-setters and go-getters. They set short term goals but more importantly, long term goals. Another important trait of successful people is that they are creative. Success comes as a result of generating new ideas, seeing things differently, and mobilising profitable ideas to get results. Finally, production, enthusiasm and commitment to make things happen are critical to success. A lethargic person who is not interested in innovation and production cannot be successful. Who are you, and how prepared are you for good success? Are you a professional or an amateur?

ACTION POINT: Outstanding success is of God and mediocrity is not righteousness. Pray and plan to be successful in your chosen profession.

Saturday 4 October 2014

Social Deviants!- 4/10/2014

Social Deviants!- 4/10/2014

MEMORISE: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 1 Peter 4:2

READ: Acts 17:5-9
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:16 

MESSAGE:
A Christian can be described as a little Christ. While on earth, Christ exhibited integrity in all His utterances and actions. He said His children would do greater works. Are you born-again? Are you a true child of God? With self-discipline and appropriate preparation, you can become effective in exhibiting integrity. Integrity as a way of life and our effectiveness in every field depends on the measure of our preparation. The more prepared we are, the more effective we become. Therefore, to become effective in exhibiting integrity, you must be prepared.

God’s standard for His children is perfection (Matthew 5:48). It is pathetic to note that many societies lack integrity. In a society where integrity has become a scarce commodity, a person of integrity is sometimes seen as a social deviant. Occasionally, efforts are made by bad elements of such societies to neutralise his or her influence. This can be by subtle or outright persecution, imposition of sanctions, or by a collective effort to undermine his or her personality. History confirms however that a person of integrity is always a winner. Why? He or she is consistent and credible. Are you a person of integrity? Credibility defines integrity. The benefit of integrity is confidence and the ability to influence others positively. The more credible you are, the more confidence people place in you, thereby granting you the privilege of influencing their lives. The contrast is also true. The less credible you are as a person, the less confidence people place in you, and the more quickly you lose your position of influence. Are you a Christian leader? The secret to rising and not falling is integrity.

Integrity is germane to your success in ministry. There is no denying the fact that the more credible you are, the longer your staying power and the more successful your ministry will be. In the same vein, the less credible you are, the shorter your staying power and the less successful your ministry will be. Every leader needs integrity because it builds trust. A man must have followers in order to be a leader. In order to have followers, a leader must have their confidence. Hence, the supreme quality of a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, whether it is in a church, on a football field, in an army barrack or in an office. If a man’s associates find him guilty of being a phony, if they find out that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. Your teachings and actions must square up with each other. Society may see them as deviants but the first great need of a Christian leader is integrity and high purpose. Are you viewed as a social deviant? Don’t lose your integrity.

KEY POINT: A man’s character determines the character of his organisation. Be a person of integrity.

Friday 3 October 2014

Integrity- 3/10/2014

Integrity- 3/10/2014

MEMORISE: Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: Matthew 3:8

READ: Matthew 7:15-20
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 Samuel 14:47-16:23

MESSAGE:
It is pathetic but true: integrity is a scarce commodity nowadays. The unvarnished truth is that almost all nations parade those who plead guilty to fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, immoralities, perjury, making of false statements and other criminal acts. Modern society is in dire need of people of integrity. A person is identified by his or her integrity. Matthew 7:16 says:
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
What is integrity? Integrity can be defined as steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. It is a state of being unimpaired of soundness; the quality of being whole or of having undivided completeness. Integrity is a synonym for honesty. It manifests itself as what is called incorruptibility.

Are you corrupt or incorruptible? Are you a man or woman of integrity? There are certain things to note about integrity. First, integrity is a skill: It is a practical skill. It is the ability to practice honesty and to exhibit moral courage in all ramifications. As with all skills, integrity is developed and learned over time. Integrity is a trait that is taught and learned over an entire lifetime. We need men and women of integrity in our society. Integrity can be integrated into a society through sound ideological precepts and practices. Secondly, integrity is a guideline, a benchmark, point of reference or a goal that is used to make decisions based on truth and honesty. To maintain integrity, a person must remember to refer to truth and honesty in all decisions, thoughts, actions and reactions. Thirdly, integrity can be described as a great tower. It is something that a person builds and maintains over a lifetime. May I ask: when will you begin to build your own tower of integrity? Fourthly, integrity can be considered as a seed. It is planted in childhood, watered in youth and blossoms in adulthood. The more a person waters this seed throughout life, the more it grows and blossoms. Just as it is with plants, if integrity is neglected at any point, it will wither and die. Integrity requires constant maintenance. A man or woman of integrity can be likened to a janitor. As a janitor cleans and straightens rooms for a living, a person of integrity should maintain true integrity through daily self-assessment in moral and financial probity. The fifth point to note is that integrity is delicate. If care is not taken, integrity can be eroded, lost or compromised beyond recognition in a person’s life.

Integrity means what a person says and what he or she does are the same; the results are consistent.

Are you a person of integrity?

ACTION POINT: Resolve to maintain integrity in all your thoughts, utterances and actions from today.